Detroit Tigers steal Game 1 in extras, taking home-field advantage from Mariners in ALDS

SEATTLE – The Detroit Tigers have stolen home-field advantage in the American League Divisional Series with a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners in extra innings.

The Tigers went into T-Mobile Field on Saturday (Oct. 4) and swung first in Game 1 and landed the first punch of the series.

With the game tied 2-2 in the top of the 11th inning, utility player Zach McKinstry hit a line drive up the middle to bring home first baseman Spencer Torkelson from second base to take the 3-2 lead.

Torkelson opened the top of the inning with a lead-off walk, and then he reached second base after a passed ball got by potential AL MVP Cal Raleigh with no outs to put himself in scoring position, setting up McKinstry first-pitch go-ahead RBI.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch sent in Keider Montero, who came up clutch as he faced the top of the Mariners order.

In his 13th time taking the mound as a reliever, Montero, with zero saves under his belt, Randy Arozarena hit a 2-2 pitch to McKinstry to third who threw him out at first for the first out of the inning.

Raleigh (went 3-4 with three singles prior to his at-bat) stepped into the batter’s box and got jammed by a Montero inside breaking ball, which was popped up to McKinstry in foul ball territory for the second out of the inning.

Center fielder Julio Rodriguez (2-4 with a solo home run and a single with two RBI) was the Mariners’ offense in Game 1 as he scored both of their runs.

Looking for more magic, Rodriguez took strike one from Montero, who blew a first-pitch fastball north of 95mph down the middle.

He singled on the next pitch to left field for his third hit of the game.

Former Cleveland Guardians slugger and current Mariners first baseman Josh Nayler (0-3 with a walk) stepped up to the plate with the tying run on first base and took a breaking ball down the middle of the plate for strike one.

Nayler fouled the second pitch to take an 0-2 count before sending a rocket down the first base line to Torkelson, who scooped up the ball and tagged first for the final out.

With the victory, the Tigers secured their first postseason extra-inning win since 2012 in Game 1 of the ALCS, 6-4 in 12 innings vs. the New York Yankees.

If you’re wondering how the Tigers got the two runs, those came into play thanks to Kerry Carpenter, who blasted a two-run homer to right field against pitcher George Kirby, whom he owns as he is 5-11 with five home runs and 9 RBI.

Troy Melton got the start in Game 1, but Hinch and his pitching chaos used seven relievers combined to finish off the final seven innings to secure the victory.

With the victory, Detroit now has the golden opportunity to secure Game 2 as potential back-to-back Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will take the mound in front of his former collegiate state, as he spent four seasons, racking up many awards while breaking program records as well.

Catch Skubal on the mound on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at 8:08 p.m.